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Ross Hodge's First Year at WVU a Major Success
The Mountaineers exceeded expectations, won the College Basketball Crown, and have a bright future ahead.
Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:11pm
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In his first season as head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers, Ross Hodge led the team to a 21-win season, a second-place finish in the Big 12, and a championship in the College Basketball Crown tournament. Despite not making the NCAA Tournament, the team showed resilience and improvement throughout the year, setting the foundation for a bright future under Hodge's leadership.
Why it matters
Hodge's first year was never about winning a championship, but rather establishing the culture and standard he wants for the program going forward. The Mountaineers exceeded preseason expectations and showed they can compete at a high level in the tough Big 12 conference, setting the stage for continued success.
The details
After suffering some tough losses during the regular season that cost them an NCAA Tournament berth, the Mountaineers finished strong, winning their final three games, including the College Basketball Crown championship over Oklahoma. Key players like DJ Thomas and the defensive duo of Honor Huff and Treysen Eaglestaff showed significant improvement throughout the year under Hodge's coaching.
- The Mountaineers capped off the 2025-26 season with three straight wins, including the College Basketball Crown championship.
- WVU finished the regular season 9-9 in Big 12 play, good for a 7th-place finish and a spot in the Players Era tournament for the 2027-28 season.
The players
Ross Hodge
The first-year head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers, tasked with rebuilding the program and establishing a new culture.
DJ Thomas
A WVU player who emerged as a future star, improving significantly over the course of the season despite having zero high-major offers outside of West Virginia.
Honor Huff
A WVU player who was thought to be a defensive liability but was coached up by Hodge to become a respectable defender, helping the Mountaineers have one of the top 10 scoring defenses in college basketball.
Treysen Eaglestaff
Another WVU player who was developed by Hodge into a solid defensive player, contributing to the team's strong defensive performance.
Miles Sadler
The highest-rated recruit in WVU program history, who is expected to make an immediate impact in Morgantown next season.
What’s next
The Mountaineers will look to build on their successful first season under Hodge and make a push for the NCAA Tournament in 2026-27, with the addition of highly touted recruit Miles Sadler expected to bolster the roster.
The takeaway
Hodge's first year at West Virginia exceeded expectations, as the Mountaineers showed resilience, improvement, and a bright future despite falling short of the NCAA Tournament. The foundation has been laid for the program to become a consistent contender in the Big 12 and nationally under Hodge's leadership.
